A painting of the late French fashion designer Coco Chanel attributed to Andy Warhol was sold for $247,000 on August 8 by Stevens Auction Company in Aberdeen, Mississippi.

The sale was confirmed late today by company owner Dwight Stevens, who said the purchaser wished to remain anonymous.

The portrait was acquired by the seller's grandmother from a Canadian gallery in 1985 and has been in the family collection since. It measures 15 inches by 17½ inches and is said to have an authenticating stamp by the artist's estate.

Former Andy Warhol Museum director Tom Sokolowski and national critic Blake Gopnik both expressed doubts to artnet News based on an image of the painting.

Mr. Stevens told artnet News that his company had several people look at the work pre-auction. "We were relying on others. We brought in art dealers and so-called experts." In the end, he said, it's up to the buyer to determine whether or not they believe it is a Warhol.

Neither The Andy Warhol Museum nor The Andy Warhol Foundation would comment on the work's authenticity.

"The Warhol is not in the business of authenticating nor valuing works of art. That said, our staff will not be weighing in on the topic," museum Communications Manager Rick Armstrong wrote in an email.

The foundation emailed artnet News "We do not offer opinions on works of art purported to be by Andy Warhol, whether on or off the record."

A portrait of Marilyn Monroe, also attributed to Warhol and from the same collection, will be sold during a Stevens auction in Natchez, Mississippi.

First Published: August 18, 2015, 10:30 p.m.